Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) and physician assistants (PA) are recognized as authorized Medicare providers and are able to certify patient eligibility for nursing home care; however, current law precludes these same practitioners from certifying patient eligibility for home health care services. As a result, APRNs and PAs are required to find a physician to certify eligibility.
This unnecessary barrier can result in an extended hospital stay or nursing home admission because the patient could not return or remain at home without home health care services.
